One-upping biosimilars

Reformulation and novel drug delivery plays are routinely excoriated by those outside the biopharmaceutical industry as nothing but a way to maintain revenues for aging products. But it's not always a one-way street.

Roche's plans to develop an infusion-free device for subcutaneous delivery of biologic therapeutics should indeed help protect some of its blockbuster franchises from biosimilar competitors. But the approach also should provide convenience and safety for patients. And the company will argue the new route of administration will reduce overall healthcare costs...